Xchoboomer

The Los Angeles City Council passed a mandate 4 months ago to shut down over 400 dispensaries throughout the city that did not register with the city prior to 2007. Today that mandate goes into effect. The dispensaries ordered to shut down are concentrated in the Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, and Venice/Santa Monica areas but are sprawled throughout the city. This map of the dispensaries ordered to shut down is rather eye opening. Not on that map is still another 100+ dispensaries located throughout the city that will remain open.

Most dispensaries are expected to comply with the order and will be shutting there doors for good at midnight. There are some that are expected to fight the mandate based on the premise that it violates consumer rights. However, the City of Los Angeles says it is prepared to enforce the mandate so it will be interesting to watch how this enfolds over the next week.

This mandate is just another example of the failures of the Los Angeles City Council.  The council had the opportunity and the responsibility to construct a system that would benefit the many patients and citizens of Los Angeles and serve as a shining example for the rest of the state as well as the nation to legitimize what the voters asked for. Instead they chose to keep pushing the issue to the back burner and left loopholes in their policy that  allowed all these dispensaries to grow like weeds (pun intended). And who can blame these businessmen of these dispensaries. There was an opportunity due to the failures of the city council and they took advantage. Now they are the victims not to mention the citizens of Los Angeles who will have to deal with the crowd of the remaining dispensaries, although I’m sure the owners of the remaining dispensaries will reap the rewards. The city council has done  a disservice to its citizens and to the nation as we struggle to overturn madness. We’ve come so far since Prop 215 was passed in 1996 with a 55% majority. It was only a dream to many that we would legally be able to walk into a dispensary and purchase marijuana. So considering there are still over 100 dispensaries left in operation within city limits should still be considered a victory. I know it doesn’t feel that way. Let’s only hope that this new mandate which will keep dispensaries out of residential neighborhoods works only to legitimize the cause further.

I just heard the news about Dennis Hopper ’bout a couple hours ago and we’ve lost a great artist.  I can’t say that I (we) didn’t see this one coming though. It was only a month or two ago that he was getting his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He looked so frail and it was evident that the time was near.

Nice to see George, err, I mean Jack out there seeing an old friend off.  To bad they didn’t light one up for old times sake. I’d like to think they did behind the cameras but that was the thing about Easy Rider, written and directed by Hopper. It was all in front of the cameras like a big middle finger to the “man” a.k.a, the  “establishment”!

Dennis Hopper was the embodiment of  “coolness”. Even in his early days of Rebel without a Cause he was banging Natalie Wood off-camera. Now that’s cool!  I wonder if she tasted like peaches too? (True Romance reference if you didn’t get that.) Cultivating his skills in the Actors’ Studio payed off in roles as a photojournalist in Apocalypse Now,  Easy Rider, Hoosiers, and even in the last few years with his hit series “Crash”, a Stars original series, he always came across with that aura of coolness. Heck, I even thought he was cool in Red Rock West and Speed! Plus did you know he directed “Colors” too? He probably came up with the name Pac-Man for Sean Penn!

Well, it just so happens, and probably not by accident either, that Dennis Hopper stars in one of the greatest scenes in cinematic history, in my mind at least, in one of my all-time favorites, True Romance. Starring opposite Christoper Walken playing a Siccilian mafioso, who was also phenomenal in this scene I might add, Dennis Hopper, with the help of  Tony Scott I’m sure,  just nails it with the language and tone as he insults the Sicilian as he realizes he is facing certain death whether or not  he gives up his son. In true Dennis Hopper fashion he verbably and intellectually  sticks a middle finger in the Sicilian’s face, choosing not to give up his blood and savoring his Chesterfield before the inevitable.

His method acting was is a beautiful thing to watch. He had a thing about that middle finger. He was the counter-culture before their was a counter-culture. He was cooler then cool. Let’s hope he finds his “Freedom” now. R.I.P.

		PHOTOJOURNALIST
"Do you know what the man is saying? Do you? This is dialectics.
It's very simple dialectics. One through nine, no maybes, no
supposes, no fractions -- you can't travel in space, you can't go out
into space, you know, without, like, you know, with fractions -- what
are you going to land on, one quarter, three-eighths -- what are you
going to do when you go from here to Venus or something -- that's
dialectic physics, OK? Dialectic logic is there's only love and hate, you
either love somebody or you hate them."

Kurtz throws a book angrily at him :

		PHOTOJOURNALIST
"This is the way the fucking world ends! Look at this fucking shit
we're in, man! Not with a bang, with a whimper. And with a whimper,
I'm fucking splitting, jack!"

Photojournalist leaves :

Part of me is disgusted by what I heard come out of the mouths of top executives from Goldman Sachs during today’s senate hearings, but there’s a part of me, something in the back of my mind that is saying ‘sons of  bitches… good for you’.  These guys just basically testified that they knowingly were selling “shitty” deals to their clients, thus shorting the market and profiting 3.7 Billion dollars while the housing market was collapsing and triggering the worst financial disaster since the great depression. As if to say “And what the fuck are you going to do about it, Grandpa?” to the senate, they all held their ground, admitting no wrongdoing, regretting nothing,and feeling no remorse about the havoc caused, all  based on the position that they were the opposite agent in the market and this is what their clients wanted. Yah, I’m disgusted that these guys are balling while the rest of us our fending off this depression, but if your gonna fleece the wool off a sheep that’s gotta be the way to do it!

I caught a short clip about the contraversy surrounding Window Seat on the evening news tonight. My first reaction from what little I did see was  did she really just do that. Hallowed ground, kids around or not it was beautiful. I just had to check it out for myself as I’ve always been a fan of hers and downloaded the album a few days ago but haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet. I actually came across Erykah’s interview with the Dallas News before I caught the full video at her official website. Her explanation is actually fascinating.

“Liberating yourself from layers and layers of skin or demons that are a hindrance to your growth or freedom, or evolution.”

I can relate to that. I have layers and demons that need to be shed. I’m not going to shed my clothes in front of the grassy knowl but I can respect the artistic freedom of expression in this and its inspiring to my own self expression.

The guerilla video is absolutely amazing.  In the article with the Dallas News she talks about being petrified and frightened as she began shedding her clothes and the insecurities and vulnerabilities about her body. You could actually see it in her eyes and face as she gets closer and closer to being completely naked.  I love how politically charging Erykah has always been and this is why the place is important and the panorama shot at the very end showing the 360 degree view of the grassy knoll, the Texas School Book Repository, and the American flags waving in the background.

I love this whether or not she just dropped an album and is doing it for the publicity. Of course shes doing it for the publicity. That’s the business. But she has always been true to the artist within her and conciouse of the politics and social environment . This is no exception. And I love what she says in response to whether she considered the children. She was honest. “I didn’t think about them until I saw them, and in my mind I tried to telepathically communicate my good intent to them.”

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direkt

They did it! They did the improbable  and what seemed to be nearly impossible after the passing of Edward Kennedy and the consequent filling of his seat by a Republican. Nonetheless, they got it done! Health care reform will be a reality. 32 million more Americans who do not have health insurance will be covered, insurance companies will not be able to deny coverage based on pre-existing conditions, tens of thousands of Americans will be saved from filing bankruptcy each year, health care fraud will be addressed, and $1.3 trillion will be saved over the course of the next decade or so. What are people protesting for?

This is progressive and  historic change. Change the American people voted for in 2008 and change that President Barack Obama and Speaker Pelosi and many others delivered on tonight at the delight of the ones that voted them into office. I’d like to congratulate them all and send my personal thanks to President Obama, Speaker Pelosi, Harry Reid and especially to those who risked their seats, and everyone else that had a hand in taking the American peoples and my best interest to heart over the special interests of the insurance and pharmaceutical companies. Democrats may be voted out of office for this. Even President Obama is not safe from the spin doctors who will attempt to twist this against him. We cant let that happen. We  need to campaign even harder in November for the ones who risked everything to make change happen.

I’m not one to watch C-SPAN very often but I must say that this process was fascinating to watch tonight. I was glued to CNN throughout the day. What I found astounding was how so many Republicans were so misleading tonight as they resorted to using inflamatory language,  scare tactics, and fear mongering to pull the wool over there constituents eyes as they simply strategized to position themselves for mid-term elections in November. For example, even after it was factual information that President Obama had struck a “back-room deal” with pro-life Democrats to sign an executive order that would disallow federal dollars to be spent on abortion, the minority leader still had the nerve to state before the House that this bill will be used by pro-choicers to fund abortions through pro-lifers tax dollars. Really! And whats even more astounding is the fact that there constituents, many of whom this bill is going to benefit, are so fucking ignorant, or just rich and don’t give a shit about anybody else, that they can’t connect the fucking dots and actually believe this bill is taking dollar bills out of there wranglers to fund abortions from the likes of Lil Kim, Traci Lords, Sinead O’connor, and the hot girl-next door.

So let me get this straight. Is it just coincidence that all these people protesting in front of the capital are from places like Wisconsin and West Virginia. Not at all. All these people are from red states! And red states are now considered the poorest states in the country. So the people who are protesting this bill most likely have a median income which is lower then that of the nation, yet they are voting for a Republican and against there best interest to save themselves taxes? How ironic. And it is the progressive blue states who have higher median incomes which are in higher tax brackets and ACTUALLY being taxed more, who are the people promoting the passage of this bill to support the likes of the people who are voting against it. That’s enough  to make my head spin!

I was so angry when I heard one republican pundit lie threw his teeth on CNN stating that the Republican’s were denied on making any amendments to this bill. I jumped out of my seat and wanted to throw something at my television. You had 13 months to get your amendments in.  There were over 200 republican amendments that did actually make it in this bill. President Obama made a last ditch bipartisan effort to bring everyone to the table not two weeks ago and all you wanted to do was start from scratch. You’ve got to be fucking kidding me! I’m sorry but they were right for denying any amendments tonight. You had your chance. This bill was a bipartisan bill that the Republicans had the opportunity to vote bipartisan tonight. Not one did.

Lastly. There were some nastiness this weekend that brought us back generations to a time before I was born that I can never truly understand as I was not there to witness it first hand. Although I was not there, I do not wish to regress to a place that was not conducive to the virtues of  “one love” . I heard one democratic pundit defending the opposition stating that the words of a few are not reflective of the masses. I thought that was honorable but I simply disagree with that. It is exactly that mindset that is promoted within these Republican circles that keeps its sheep in the dark, distracted from truth by religion,  the wool over there eyes and the ignorance in there minds.

So I’m about to go to bed now and I’m going and wake up at the dawn of a new era in health care and this country! How exciting!

So, is it just me or is there not a PR campaign doing some damage control of Vice President Joseph Biden putting his foot in his mouth after being overheard saying the VP job was a snap. Now don’t get me wrong, I like “regular joe” but he does have a way with words doesn’t he. Tonight, Nightline had the exclusive with him following him around for a day and it portrayed the very difficult job he really does have. Although Nightline’s feature was probably pre-engineered and got the stamp of approval by the administration before airing, there were some candid moments and truthful dialogue. I don’t envy the guy who has to call Benjamin Netanyahu and ask him what the fuck he is doing developing on disputed land and jeopardizing  this fragile peace process. It has been rather quiet lately now that I think about it, besides the allegedly Mossod led Munich style hit on Mahmoud al-Mabhouh, a Hamas military commander.  Be it as it may, I’m not sure VP Joseph Biden should be the one taking point on the Israeli-Palestinian politics. Hell! These people have been fighting since the dawn of time and most likely till kingdom come and given VP Joseph Biden’s record of putting his foot in his mouth,  he could be the guy thats gonna get us even deeper into this bullshit and bring on Armageddon. He’s already blessing an Irish mother.

embedded by Embedded Video

Depending on what side of the table your on this either made you laugh or pissed you off. It made me laugh and to hear John McCain trying to play it off with a bad joke and a nervous chuckle made it even sweeter as Obama was so serious.  I was actually curious to hear Megan McCain’s take on the incident as I am a fan of hers believe it or not, but it seems she hasn’t posted recently and what can she say? Regardless of what side of the table your on in the health care debate you have got to admit that Obama is making a serious bipartisan effort to bring everyone to the table and give Republicans a voice in a bill that the Democrats are hell bent on passing.

Cmon, this is funny…

embedded by Embedded Video

I just finished watching what can arguably be President Obama’s make it or break it speech and I think he nailed it. Due to the passing of Senator Ted Kennedy a special election is primed for Tuesday between Democrat Martha Coakley and Independent Scott Brown. Although Scott Brown is touting himself as an Independent he has sided with the Republicans 96% of the time and if elected will provide the republicans enough votes to halt the Health Care reform bill in its tracks. This is why Tuesday’s election will be President Obama’s make it or break it moment and it has the potential to dictate the rest of his Presidency and limit his legacy.  This is the reason Obama is in Boston today trying to rally the troops on his wifes birthday instead of spending it with her or tending to the situation in Haiti directly. I would suspect that after Tuesday’s election in Boston, whichever way the chips fall, Obama will make a trip to Haiti to see the devastation there first hand and provide leadership to what will be a prolonged recovery for the region. It was announced today that President Clinton will make his way to Haiti and I suspect President Obama will be joining him. But getting out the vote in Boston has to be the first priority for the President even with all the devastation that needs tending to. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was on Haitian soil as of yesterday representing the administration and has already negotiated with the Haitian President to allow the US military to take control of the airport to provide the manpower and prioritize incoming resources. So President Obama needs to stay focused in Boston for the next few days. Bostonians need to get out the vote, they need to knock on doors, they need to make phone calls. Every vote will be critical as this is a special election and the voter turnout for this will be critical. Boston has always had a symbolic political history since the Boston Tea Party and a vote for Martha Coakley will signify that movement still lives strong in Boston. Boston – get out the vote, and lets take Scott Brown down and give President Obama the power to fulfill Ted Kennedy’s legacy.

Yesterday Haiti was hit with a devastating 7.0 Earthquake that rocked Port-au-Prince. This has been a devastating blow to an impoverished nation. It is estimated that over 100,000 people are feared dead. That is just a  staggering number to think about and I can’t imagine the horror of the situation. These people need help and I really wish I was in a  situation and position to be able to volunteer. I’ve been looking at ways to help and in times like these humanitarian organizations need money and cash flow to operate. So if your like myself and unable to volunteer this is one of the best ways you can indirectly contribute to the situation. One of the most innovative and easiest ways to contribute was announced by Clinton’s Chief of Staff Cheryl Mills on the US State Departments blog. Text “HAITI” to “90999.” to make a $10 donation that will automatically go to the Red Cross to help with relief efforts. I’ve been looking online and also  compiled a short list of sites that have more information on contributing

• http://www.state.gov
• http://www.interaction.org/crisis-list/earthquake-haiti
• http://www.redcross.org/
• http://www.unicefusa.org/
• http://www.liveunited.org/

UPDATE: Haitian born Wyclef Jean has had such an influence in my life through music. Who would I be without The Fugees – The Score album in 1996 and the solo The Carnival album which both had such a personal resonance with me. Those two albums literally changed me from within and are engrained into my soul.

Wyclef is literally in the streets with his wife picking up dead bodies. He is asking for everyones help but hes especially calling on his own American Haitian people to rise to the occasion and donate which is very commendable and respectable. He is empowering his own people to make a difference which is in and of itself very inspiring. I might not be Haitian but I am one of his peoples and I have already pledged my donations. He needs our help and we have to return the favor. Donate $5 to his charity Yele Haiti by texting “Yele” to 501501. Everyones got $5. Everyones got a phone. It’s the least we can do for one of our generations most influential and inspirational artist.

embedded by Embedded Video

YouTube Direkt